Sister in law wanted to take her visiting in-laws to Tegallang and I was designated driver and translator for the day. The day started with a lovely flourless almond cake with icecream and an ice coffee at Kampung Café (thank you to those of the BTF for the suggestion). I haven't had cake and non Bali coffee like that for years (driver does not pay obviously).
Ahh to the rice terraces, arghh shopping, first stop of course to take photos and immediately the shopping starts (this driver does not like shopping, but like all good drivers I smiled and was ready to accept my commission).
First items bought - 2 carved coconuts, price 100,000 for 2, hang on a sec, I can either take a lot of commission or; as they are family, speak to the nice lady selling them, okay 75,000 for 2 and my commission was a very nice large platter made from wood and shells (great house warming gift for sister-in-law), she was a little amazed that I had managed to have that wrapped and out of the shop before she even saw any money change hands, actually, I did not even have money on me, very sneaky, but she liked the ‘gift'.
Next, I put my foot down and said you cannot shop where the tourists go, if you must make me drive you to shops, let's go further away from the tourist spots, less views, better prices. So, my little sister-in law went a little crazy (car was so full that her parents in law had to sit on 1 seat together).
Here is her list of things:
2 - large wooden gecko carvings for on the wall - 15,000 each
2- very large paintings - not canvas, the ones painted on board with a black frame - 80,000 each (just fitted in the APV and turned out they were far too big for the walks she intended)
1 - large paper lampshade - huge - 1.5 metres across when folded, unfolds to a huge ball - 70,000
1 - 60 centimeter vase - 20,000
1 - 2 metre Bamboo ladder (how the hell is that going to fit?) - 25,000
1 - 1.2 metre Bamboo ladder - 10,000 - for hanging clothes on, towels etc
Oh, at that price, another Bamboo ladder - 10,000
1 - very large, very heavy wooden framed mirror, about 1 metre x 60cm - 125,000
2 - Batik (real Batik), traditional sarongs - 45,000 each
What she didn't get and is now making me drive her back there is the
2 - very large decorative pots that stand about 1 metre high and 50 cm wide (at widest point) - 100,000 each
1 - 2 metre long wood carving of elephants she wants for above her bed - 110,000.
It was a choice of either leave her parents in-law there or convince her we could come back.
Did manage to get them to stop shopping for 30 minutes to have lunch at Alon Alon, had the best Gado Gado ever.
Returned to Sanur to drop her off and pick up hubby, found him and his brother-in law also spending up big on Bintangs down at the beach, left them at 10.00am, it was now 7pm, was not pretty trying to get them to walk back to their apartment. Turns out they spent more on Bintangs then she did on all her shopping.
I think I may need a truck next time.